Apples and pears

To the Cockney, the phrase "steps and stairs" describes the idea of gradation. Every good costermonger has skill in displaying the front of his stall. The selected samples of fruit and vegetables are expertly graded in "steps and stairs". Apples and pears, when in season, are common on each barrow and, when polished, create an arresting display.

• stair

1. 01

   come down in stair rods

   To rain heavily in long streaks.

2. 02

   missing stair

   A member of a community who is widely but privately known within that community for abusiveness or other harmful behavior that has not been addressed.